What's the weather like in Barcelona in August
August is the hottest month of the year in Barcelona and the heat rises to sweltering levels that can prove to be unbearable. It can also be very humid during this month, so the climate can be like a sauna.
Temperature
The average daytime temperatures are around 28°C (that is about 82°F) whereas the average minimum temperatures drop down to 19°C (that is about 67°F). On average, the hottest day of the year is August 7th with an average high of 28°C and low of 20°C!
Excessive Heat
The number of tourist drops down considerably during this month due to the heat. However, this is actually one of the best times of the year to visit the city as Barcelona is relatively quiet and most of the main attractions are still open. Small businesses such as cafes and shops may be closed but it definitely won't affect your holiday.
The sunrays are very strong so you won't be able to enjoy sunbathing. With such an extreme climate, it is not a good month to visit Barcelona if you have any trouble with excessive heat.
Heat Waves
Heat waves can be quite common in Barcelona. The 2003 European heat wave was the hottest summer on record in Western Europe since at least 1540, which lasted from June until August. In Spain there were a total of 141 deaths caused by the heat wave, and various temperature records were broken in various cities across the country including Barcelona, Sevilla and Girona. The highest temperature recorded in Barcelona was a blistering 36°C!
Daylight Hours
Over the course of a typical August the length of day is starting to gradually decrease. From the start to the end of the month, the length of day decreases by a total of 1:12 hours. The shortest day of the month is actually August 31st, however, it still receives 13:09 hours of daylight, whilst the longest day is August 1st with 14:21 hours of daylight.
Rain
Precipitation is generally very low at this time of year. On average, it is expected for approximately 70mm of rainfall to occur, spread across a total of eight days. On average, precipitation is most likely around August 31st, at 31%, while precipitation is least likely around August 1st at 24%. The most common forms of precipitation at this time of year are short thunderstorms and moderate rain.
Cloud Coverage
The sky is also very clear during August. The median cloud cover generally ranges from a mostly clear 32% to 38%. However, it is likely for the sky to become cloudier, increasing by 6% from the start to the end of the month.
Humidity
It can get rather humid in Barcelona during August. The relative humidity typically fluctuates between a mildly humid 56% and a very humid 90%, rarely dropping below 43% or reaching as high as 99%. The air is usually driest around August 2nd, at which time the relative humidity can drop below 63% three days out of four. On the other hand the air is likely to be most humid around August 24th, where humidity levels can rise above 87% three days out of four.
Wind
Furthermore, throughout August, typical wind speeds vary from 0 m/s to a moderate 6 m/s, rarely ever exceeding 9 m/s. The highest average wind speed of 3 m/s is likely to occur around August 30th, at which time the average daily maximum wind speed is 6 m/s. At this time of year the wind is most often coming from the north, followed by the south west.
Average Sea Temperature
The average temperature of the sea during this month is 26°C. That's 2°C warmer compared to July and September, where on average the sea temperature stays around a positively warm 24°C.
Barcelona Hotels in August
Avenida Palace
Avenida Palace is a luxurious four-star hotel situated in L'Eixample. This elegant and sophisticated hotel is located just a five-minutes' walk away from Plaza Catalunya, La Rambla and Paseo de Gracia. It also features soundproof and air-conditioned rooms as well as a Mediterranean and a la carte restaurant.
H10 Casanova
With a brand new plunge pool and fitness centre, H10 Casanova in Eixample is a perfect choice for those wanting hotel luxury and a central location. Enjoy drinks at the Sky bar, or just relax in your room featuring super comfortable beds and all the amenities needed for a perfect stay.
Olivia Plaza Hotel
The Olivia Plaza Hotel is another exclusive hotel ideal for honeymoons or romantic getaways. This modern and styligh hotel is situated in Ciutat Vella and overlooks Santa Ana Church and the city centre. This hotel offers a buffet brekast and modern restaurant which offers Mediterranean cuisine in the evenings. Olivia Plaza is also just 100m away from the main shopping street Las Ramblas, where you can find many restaurants, tapas bars, shops and even street performers.
Catalonia Ramblas Hotel
If you want a hotel with a swimming pool you may want to try the four-star Catalonia Ramblas. This hotel offers guests free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning and features a seasonal outdoor swimming pool which is open during the summer!
Barcelona Beaches in August
Barceloneta Beach
Barceloneta Beach is located between Sant Sebastia Beach and the Olympic Port. As the beach is right next to the city there are number of amenities here including public toilets, showers, bars, restaurants, hotels and much more.
Llevant Beach
Llevant Beach is Barcelona's newest manmade beach which opened back in 2006. This beach offers a number of facilities including adapted showers, sun loungers, umbrellas, public toilets and ice cream kiosks.
Bogatell Beach
Bogatell is another popular beach situated in Barcelona. Bogatell Beach features a number of facilities such as bicycle parking areas, restaurants, beach volleyball, table tennis, showers and public toilets.
Things to do in Barcelona in August
Barcelona Bus Turistic
Barcelona Bus Turistic is a great way to see most of Barcelona's major sights within a day. The sightseeing bus departs from a total of 44 spots dotted around the city and one ticket will last you for the whole day! This is a great way to explore the city where you will see a number of Barcelona's most famous attractions including FC Barcelona's Camp Nou, Park Guell, La Pedrera and of course the Sagrada Familia.
Guell Park
Guell Park or "Parque Guell" can be found on the hill of El Carmel in the Gracia district of Barcelona. This stunning garden complex was designed by the famous Catalan architect Antoni Guadi and took over 14 years to build. The park is renowned for its collection of multicolored mosaic works which can be found in the Municipal garden including one of the longest benches in the world.
Picasso Museum
Many of Barcelona's museums are still open in August, and they are often cool and air-conditioned. Whilst visiting Barcelona it is highly recommended to visit the
Picasso Museum which houses one of the most extensive collections of artworks by the famous 20th century Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. This museum showcases artwork from the formative years of Picasso, revealed through over 4,000 works that make up a permanent collection. The museum also features a number of ever-changing exhibitions from other renowned contemporary artists.
Museu Nacional d'Art de la Catalunya
Another museum worth visiting is Museu Nacional d'Art de la Catalunya. This is the perfect place to spend a few hours if you are interested in art. The museum showcases a whole host of interesting collections of artwork from some of the world's most famous artists and sculptors and also boasts an ever-changing array of temporary exhibitions.
